We call them cat calls in America and feel uncomfortable and
degraded by them in Botswana the same calls can be considered true proposals of
love. I thought this was an over exaggeration but nope. Men in Botswana will
greet you will an Ke a go rata (I
love you) marry me baby. This proclamation maybe shocking but we
have to consider the Setswana Language where is only one word for love and
like, which is rata. So as my
language teacher has explained after 5 mintues in Botswana “I love you” “I like
you” ga go na mathata (no worries)
and sure I can laugh off an I love you from a group of drunks or old men as I’m
walking to school but it’s when the love you’s come with touchy hands and
demands of a phone number that a smile and keep walking just doesn’t cut it. When I arrived in Botswana I was worried
about being the only girl in my group and when I met my fellow classmates I
won’t lie knew I was on my own. They didn’t seem like the type who would step
up for me and that’s not what many of you reading want to hear but this is Zina
I can handle myself. But honestly I arrived in Bots drained my summer with UB
took my sassy and pep and I was in a very shy place.
So when the guys approached a Motswana I usually hung off t
the side trying not to attract attention, but this is not the best position to
be in either. I’m still working on figuring out how to fit into the gender
roles of Botswana and not have to worry too much. The boys in the group have
stayed up a lot and I thank them I feel bad for doubting them but I’m not going
to rest on expectations. I have heard its just the older men that are this way,
and I agree young men seem less aggressive but like in most hyper masculine
societies a no is not taken as easily as one you hope. However, My cab driver
blew off a man today who has yelling about wanting a kiss and told me not to
worry and drove away quickly. It all makes you think especially coming from the
Bowdoin bubble.
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